Paintings with oil paint will take between 1 and 14 days to dry. The amount of time oil painting take to dry will depend on the thickness of the paint, the temperature, and the additions used to speed up the drying process.
While exposure to the sun does not directly affect the drying time of oil paint, sunlight can cause cracks in the painting. During the drying process, it is important to keep the painting in a well-ventilated area and open windows. Using a dehumidifier will speed up the process by circulating air. In addition, ceiling fans can help circulate dust. Generally, oils paintings dry faster in the sun.
Oil paintings can be stored in the sunshine for a short time to speed up the drying process. The heat from the sun will not damage the paint layers and the paint will be less sticky. Also, exposing a painting to the sun's UV rays will increase the paint's oxidation and reduce its drying time. A more efficient way to dry an oil painting is to expose it to direct sunlight.
In addition to sunlight, warm temperatures will help oil paints dry faster. However, if you don't have an outdoor location, you should avoid exposing the painting to extreme heat. If exposed to a sunny window or direct sunlight, it will take 12 days to dry.
